Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt: Reflection

Posted on November 22, 2008 by Barbara Harper

Theme: Reflection| Become a Photo Hunter

Both of these have appeared on my blog before but not for a Photo Hunt, I don’t think.

This was taken several years ago at Callaway Gardens Butterfly Center in Georgia. This is a case with several cocoons (or chrysalises? I always get them mixed up). I like this picture not only because they are beautiful (I never knew they could be shiny) but also because I think my husband’s reflection in the glass of the case is neat.

I had noticed a lovely sunset and went out to try to get a picture of it, then on my way out to the front yard I noticed this reflection on the car that I thought was kind of neat. But by the time I got my camera, went outside, and then took this picture, the sun had gone down too much. I tried taking a couple more pictures, but I was directly facing the neighbors across the street who were out in their front yard — whom I don’t know — and felt awkward that they might be thinking I was taking pictures of them or their house, so I gave up.

The Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt is hosted by TN Chick: you can find more entries there.

Show and Tell Friday: Gifts from China

Posted on November 21, 2008 by Barbara Harper

Kelli at There’s No Place Like Home hosts “Show and Tell Friday” asking “Do you have a something special to share with us? It could be a trinket from grade school, a piece of jewelry, an antique find. Your show and tell can be old or new. Use your imagination and dig through those old boxes in your closet if you have to! Feel free to share pictures and if there’s a story behind your special something, that’s even better! If you would like to join in, all you have to do is post your “Show and Tell” on your blog, copy the post link, come over here and add it to Mr. Linky. Guidelines are here.

My husband took a business trip to China last week and brought home several goodies.

This one was for my youngest, but I thought the packaging was neat:

Chinese Skittles!

This is a box of chocolates…

…that claimed to be “manly”..

….that were shaped like pandas.

We joked a lot about the “Manly Pandas.” They had pandas on a lot of things.

A couple more treats:

The left is like peanut brittle. I am not sure about the one on the right. I don’t think any of us has tried it yet.

I thought the packaging here was pretty:

And it contained this lovely necklace:

Real Chinese chopsticks!

A hand-dyed bag:

A beautiful fan:

I love the detailed cutwork and the pinkness and those flowers — cherry blossoms?

Thanks for looking at my new Chinese treasures! My husband made it back home safe and sound and tired, and we enjoyed looking at pictures, watching videos, and hearing stories.

For more Show and Tells, or to join in on the fun, head over to Kelli’s.

More Thanksgiving poems

Posted on November 20, 2008 by Barbara Harper

Thanksgiving
The year has turned its circle,
The seasons come and go.
The harvest all is gathered in
And chilly north winds blow.
Orchards have shared their treasures,
The fields, their yellow grain,
So open wide the doorway~
Thanksgiving comes again!
~Old Rhyme

Our National Thanksgiving

All the blessings of the fields,
All the stores the garden yields,
All the plenty summer pours,
Autumn’s rich, o’erflowing stores,
Peace, prosperity and health,
Private bliss and public wealth,
Knowledge with its gladdening streams,
Pure religion’s holier beams —
Lord, for these our souls shall raise
Grateful vows and solemn praise.”

~ Author unknown

Thankfulness

We’re thankful for Thy blessings, Lord,
Thy watchful eye above,
For freedom’s bell that rolls for all
In this dear land we love.
We’re thankful, Lord, for useful work,
For measure of good health,
For family ties and friendship dear,
More precious this than wealth.
For all Thy tender mercies, Lord,
For sunshine and for rain,
For golden harvest richly blessed
In yield of fruit and grain.
On this Thanksgiving Day, dear Lord,
We bow in humble prayer.
We’re thankful for Thy blessings, Lord;
Thy gifts are everywhere.

~ Kay Hoffman ~

Thanksgiving …

So many years have passed away
Since Pilgrims on Thanksgiving Day
At Plymouth met with fervent prayer
Their gratitude and food to share.
This is our land-the plains and hills,
The valleys where the sunshine spills
An amber light on beans and corn
Each time a golden day is born.
Today we think of pioneers
Who braved all dangers, met all fears,
Who planted in fertile loam,
Who tamed frontiers to make a home.
For forest-store, for waterways,
For cotton fields, for mountain ore,
For mighty spires we sing our praise.
For scholars with intelligence
Who attained wisdom of the sage,
Who left their heritage to us
And flag of freedom to this age.
We thank Thee, God, for rain and sun,
For peace at frosty winter’s edge,
For harvests and for vintage bells,
For faith and joy in work well done.
The flag we love now flies above;
May faith and virtue keep us strong
As we together sing this song:
“God Bless Thanksgiving Day!”

— An 1840’s Thanksgiving prayer by Stella Craft Tremble

Poetry Friday is at Holly Cupala‘s Friday.

More Thanksgiving -related posts on this blog:

Thanksgiving Bible Study

Thanksgiving devotionals and readings are here.

Some Thanksgiving quotes are here.

More Thanksgiving quotes are here.

Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation is here.

Thanksgiving “funnies” are here.

A “Redneck Thanksgiving” is here.

Thanksgiving poems are here.

I am linking this to Kelli’s Week of Giving Thanks at There’s No Place Like Home — a festival of Thanksgiving posts — poems, quotes, decorations, crafts, recipes, etc.

A Redneck Thanksgiving

Posted on November 20, 2008 by Barbara Harper

You Might Be a Redneck This Thanksgiving If…

… you’ve ever had Thanksgiving dinner on a ping-pong table.

… Thanksgiving dinner is squirrel and dumplings.

… you’ve ever reused a paper plate.

… if you have a complete set of salad bowls and they all say Cool Whip on the side.

… if you’ve ever used your ironing board as a buffet table.

… your turkey platter is an old hubcap.

… your best dishes have Dixie printed on them.

… your stuffing’s secret ingredient comes from the bait shop.

… your only condiment on the dining room table is ketchup.

… side dishes include beef jerky and Moon Pies.

… you have to go outside to get something out of the ‘fridge.

… the directions to your house include “turn off the paved road.”

… you consider pork and beans to be a gourmet food.

… you have an Elvis Jell-o mold.

… your secret family recipe is illegal.

… you serve Vienna sausage as an appetizer.

I am linking this to Kelli’s Week of Giving Thanks at There’s No Place Like Home — a festival of Thanksgiving posts — poems, quotes, decorations, crafts, recipes, etc….and a few silly things like this. 🙂

More Thanksgiving -related posts on this blog:

Thanksgiving Bible Study
Thanksgiving readings and devotionals are here.
Some Thanksgiving quotes are here.
More Thanksgiving quotes are here.
Thanksgiving “funnies” are here.
Thanksgiving poems are here and More Thanksgiving poems are here.

Booking Through Thursday: Honesty

Posted on November 20, 2008 by Barbara Harper

The weekly Booking Through Thursday question for today is:

Suggested by JM:

I receive a lot of review books, but I have never once told lies about the book just because I got a free copy of it. However, some authors seem to feel that if they send you a copy of their book for free, you should give it a positive review.

Do you think reviewers are obligated to put up a good review of a book, even if they don’t like it? Have we come to a point where reviewers *need* to put up disclaimers to (hopefully) save themselves from being harassed by unhappy authors who get negative reviews?

This is a timely question: I was just discussing this topic with a friend recently.

Anyone who reads here much at all knows I love to read and I love to share with others the good books and authors I find. All the book reviews here have come because I read a book I wanted to talk about, not because I have been asked to review them. I have received e-mails asking me to review books, but so far I have turned them down because of some of the thorny problems I have seen other reviewers wrestle with.

I think blogging and online book reviewing are great for both book lover and author. The reader gets free books just in exchange for reading and discussing them, something she loves to do anyway. The author gets about the cheapest publicity possible, someone to enthusiastically spread the word. When it all works well, it’s delightful for both. When a reviewer, though, has a problem with a book or the author isn’t pleased with the review — then it can be a headache for both.

I think book reviewers are obligated to put up honest reviews above all else. I think if there is something they dislike about the book, they can and should discuss it as kindly as possible. There is no need to shred it to pieces or be condescending. But no reviewer or blogger is obligated to offer free commercials for authors — or nearly free, just for the price of the book. If a particular reviewer is always gushingly positive about everything he or she reviews, I don’t feel I can really trust their reviews: I feel they are just providing commercials for books. I might still read them for information, but if I am on the fence I would read elsewhere before deciding whether to check out the book.

As a Christian, there is another layer besides characterizations and plot lines: when I read Christian books I am also evaluating what I read in light of Scripture. Christian fiction encompasses a broad spectrum of views and interpretations, and while I understand and allow for that, I do feel obligated to point out anything I see that I would classify an unscriptural. I evaluate secular books the same way, but of course I don’t expect them to always line up with Scripture: that’s why I would be a little harder on Christian books which purport to represent Christian doctrine to some extent.

I know it can be a scary thing for an author to put their work out there and then read criticisms of it, and I know people can be causticly critical sometimes. But I would hope most authors would sift through criticisms to see ways to improve. If a number of people criticize a particular point or character or section of a plot line, it isn’t always because they don’t understand, don’t get it, or are ignorant grouches: it may indeed be because the author could have written it a little more clearly and compellingly. I think the best authors are always improving and growing in their craft.

An author takes a risk sending a book out to reviewers, and I think most of the time it works out well for all involved. But I think a good author doesn’t just want to sell books: he or she wants to write good books, and one factor in doing so is getting positive and negative feedback.

Turkey Bone Soup

Posted on November 19, 2008 by Barbara Harper

A couple of commenters on my Thanksgiving Meme post yesterday asked about Turkey Bone Soup. I don’t have a recipe per se — it’s one of those “toss in whatever you like” dishes. But here is what I do.

After Thanksgiving dinner wrap the turkey carcass in plastic wrap until you are ready to make soup. If you are going to make it in a couple of days, you can store it in the refrigerator: if it will be longer than that put it in the freezer.

When ready put the turkey carcass in a Dutch oven or large soup pan, cover with water, and simmer about 45 minutes to 1 hour. Remove the bones and pour the contents of the pan through a strainer into another pan or bowl. Then add rice or noodles, vegetables, and small bits of turkey to the broth and simmer til rice or noodles are done and all is heated through. I usually add rice, a can of Veg-all or frozen mixed vegetables, salt, pepper, minced onion, and garlic powder (and sometimes, if the stock isn’t flavored as much as I’d like, a bit of instant chicken bullion). Sometimes I’ll also add other leftover vegetables. You can use fresh vegetables, of course — just allow more time for them to cook and hold off adding the rice or noodles for a little while so they don’t get too soggy.

I just did a quick search for Turkey Bone Soup and found several that were very similar using anything from cabbage to carrots and potatoes, and one advocated adding a bay leaf.

Sorry not to be more exact! I’ve gotten used to my pan and about how much to add in.

This is one of my all-time favorite soups and one of my favorite ways to use leftover turkey. I wish I had a nice picture: maybe I’ll take one this year.

I am linking this to Kelli’s Week of Giving Thanks at There’s No Place Like Home — a festival of Thanksgiving posts — poems, quotes, decorations, crafts, recipes, etc.

A Thanksgiving Meme

Posted on November 18, 2008 by Barbara Harper

I saw this at Smiling Sally‘s:

1. Which do you like better: cooking at your house, or going elsewhere?

I like both. We’ve cooked here for the better part of our married lives, but earlier on we got together with friends whose folks (whom we also knew) came down for Thanksgiving, and it was a fun time catching up with all of them. I imagine some time in the next few years there will be daughters-in-law who will take over the main event, and I am fine with that.

2. Do you buy a fresh or frozen bird?

Frozen, whatever’s on sale.

3. What kind of stuffing?

Cornbread.

4. Sweet potato or pumpkin pie?

I like both but my family would boycott if I had sweet potato pie instead of pumpkin.

5. Do you believe that turkey leftovers are a curse, or the point of the whole thing?

I LOVE turkey leftovers!! They’re not “the point,” necessarily, but I love turkey sandwiches, casseroles, and turkey-bone soup after Thanksgiving! But then again, that IS why we only have turkey once a year.

6. Which side dish would provoke a riot if you left it off the menu?

I don’t know. We always have stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy (Thanksgiving is one of the few times we have mashed potatoes), and some kind of vegetable casserole.

7. Do you save the carcass to make soup or stock?

YES!! One of my favorite things.

8. What do you wish you had that would make preparing Thanksgiving dinner easier?

Can’t think of anything, really, except a bigger kitchen so more than one person could work in there without it being crowded.

9. Do you get up at the crack of dawn to have dinner ready in the early afternoon, or do you eat at your normal dinner hour?

I do get up early to get the turkey in. (Preparing the turkey and baking it is the easiest part, I think, but the part I was most scared of the first time. It’s later when all the side dishes are going and I’m trying to get everything ready at the same time that is busy and hard.) I’d rather eat in early afternoon, clean the kitchen up, and then be “off” for the rest of the day while everyone makes a sandwich or heats up a plate of leftovers when they get hungry than do a big meal like that for dinner.

10. If you go to somebody else’s house, what’s your favorite dish to bring?

Whatever they ask of me.

11. What do you wish one of your guests would not bring to your house? What would you like them to bring?

I don’t really expect anyone to bring anything. Perhaps whatever soft drinks they like — there are so many varieties it’s hard to please everyone.

12. Does your usual mix of guests result in drama, or is it a group you’re happy to see?

It’s usually just immediate family and we’re glad for the chance to stop all the other crazy schedules and just relax for the day. That’s one reason we don’t usually have other guests (other than girlfriends now), though I wouldn’t be opposed to it.

13. Is your cranberry sauce fresh or canned? Whole or jellied?

NO cranberry sauce! Bleah!

14. What’s your absolute favorite thing on the menu?

That’s hard to say — I like it all!

15. Share one family tradition.

Nothing really out of the ordinary. Sometimes we do go around the table and share what we’re thankful for. We’re not football fans, so the afternoon or evening might be spent watching a video or playing a game. We also usually get in some long distance phone calls to far away family some time during the day.

Let me know if you do this as well and I’ll come by!

I am linking this to Kelli’s Week of Giving Thanks at There’s No Place Like Home — a festival of Thanksgiving posts — poems, quotes, decorations, crafts, recipes, etc. You can have fun there perusing lots of Thanksgiving inspiration.

I had a number of things to tell you..

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Barbara Harper

…this morning as I was getting ready for the day…but I have been at the computer a while now and can’t remember most of them.

It would be pretty bad if I needed a recorder with me through the day to remind myself of things I wanted to post, wouldn’t it? I do have a file on my computer where I jot ideas for posts, but nothing portable.

Oh, well…if it is important it will come back to me.

(I find myself saying that all too much these days!!)

It has been that kind of morning — a lot of thoughts flying around and I need to sit down and make a game plan for the week. Last week was a blur of busy-ness and then sickness, and I feel like I am coming out of a fog and need to get my bearings. I am feeling much better now (thanks for praying!) Jim made it home safely but feels a little draggy with zipping back and forth around the globe last week, plus he is either coming down with what I had or perhaps all the different things he ate (fish stomach soup and eel, to name a couple) are catching up with him (I am glad I did not go on this trip — I don’t think I could have eaten much of what was there and wouldn’t have wanted to offend.) We enjoyed looking at the photos he took, watching some videos of the trip, and hearing his stories Saturday night — plus exploring the things he brought back! (More on that Friday!)

I CANNOT believe we’re past the middle of November already. It took me a while to get into autumn, but now it seems to be flying too fast. Jim and I were discussing Thanksgiving plans yesterday and whether we wanted to get the Christmas tree that weekend. We don’t usually — that seems too soon to both of us — but everyone will be here and out of school/off work (except maybe Jason — he just started at Subway) — so that may be the best time.

Then Jason asked if he could spend Christmas with his girlfriend in OK because that is the only time during their Christmas break her mother has off work. I was thinking this would likely be his last Christmas at home…but now it will be his first one away. 😦 Of course, all parents know this kind of thing is coming…but it is still sad. His girlfriend has been with us last Thanksgiving and will be this one, too, so I guess it’s our turn — the first of many….:(

I’d better change the subject!

One thing I did want to mention was a couple of contests and giveaways.

I saw at Linda’s 2nd Cup of Coffee (LOVE the coffee dispenser in her header!) that another coffee-loving Linda at Mocha with Linda is giving away several books over the next few weeks. If you read here regularly, you know I am a book lover, and I know many of you are as well, so feel free to click the button and check it out.

Then the ladies at 5 Minutes For Mom are always up to something, and this time it is a series of giveaways from now through Nov. 25 with several big prizes along the way, including a Wi-Fi Epson Artisan 800 Printer and a $100.00 gift card to Sears. Click this button as well to find out more. I have my eye on a couple of things already! Despite the blog name, I don’t think you have to be a mom to enter.

And with forgetting half of what I was going to say, I still managed a long wordy post. 😳 Have a good day!

Blue Monday

Posted on November 17, 2008 by Barbara Harper

Smiling Sally hosts a Blue Monday in which we can post about anything blue — pretty, ugly, serious or funny — and then link up to other Blue Monday participants.

Our upstairs bathroom is decorated in blue, tan, and beige. The “inspiration” came from the wallpaper that was there when we first moved in, which looked like sand dunes and sea grass. We’ve since taken that down and painted, but we kept the theme. I found these Thomas Kinkade prints on sale in a catalog.

They are a little hard to see at this angle — they are in the little entryway, so there wasn’t enough room to get directly across to take the picture. Both have lighthouses on them, and one has the verse “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12) and the other has “And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” ( John 1:5).

The lighthouses there led to a lighthouse shower curtain and bath mat.

This also shows a little bit of the flooring, also there when we first moved in, which helped lead to the color scheme with the blue squares.

The seaside/lighthouse theme spilled over into a general nautical theme. Though this isn’t the clearest photo, it shows one of my favorite pictures:

This old sea captain reminds me of Captain Peggotty in Dickens’ David Copperfield, the brother of David’s nurse, Pegotty, with whom David stays when his mother remarries and with whose daughter he develops a childhood crush. The captain has been one of my favorite characters.

This doesn’t have a nautical theme — but the colors match and it fits here right above a towel rack. 🙂

It has Romans 12:12 at the bottom: “Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer.”

And this has nothing nautical about it — but where else can you put it besides a bathroom? 🙂

My sister cross stitched it for me several years ago.

I do have some other little touches I want to add in at some point — but other things are ahead in priority right now.

You can visit Smiling Sally‘s for other Blue Mondays.

The Chariots of God

Posted on November 16, 2008 by Barbara Harper

The chariots of God are twenty thousand, even thousands of angels: the Lord is among them, as in Sinai, in the holy place. — Psalm 68:17

I have not a shadow of a doubt that if all our eyes could be opened today, we should see our homes, and our places of business, and the streets we traverse, filled with “the chariots of God.” There is no need, for any one of us to walk for lack of chariots. That cross inmate of your household, who has hitherto made life a burden to you, and who has been the Juggernaut car to crush your soul into the dust, may henceforth be a glorious chariot to carry you to the heights of heavenly patience and long-suffering. That misunderstanding, that mortification, that unkindness, that disappointment, that loss, that defeat — all these are chariots waiting to carry you to the very heights of victory you have so longed to reach. Mount into them, then, with thankful hearts, and lose sight of all second causes in the shining of His love who will carry you in His arms safely and triumphantly over it all.

—Hannah Whitall Smith